The Ponce de Leon Court Historic District – a single street just east of Decatur Square – has been listed with the National Register of Historic Places.John Womack developed the street in the 1920s into a short residential area with subtropical plants and deep setbacks.

The area now is a mix of apartments and small homes just off Ponce de Leon Avenue, a major east-west thoroughfare through the city.

Monday, November 28, 2011

A developer will meet Wednesday with Decatur residents to discuss plans to renovate a mall just north of the city limits.Selig Enterprises wants to redevelop Suburban Plaza on North Decatur Road between Church Street and Medlock Road, and Walmart wants to build a new store there.

The meeting with the Decatur Heights Neighborhood Association and nearby businesses is at 7 p.m. at the medical theater of DeKalb Medical, according to DeKalb County Commissioner Jeff Rader's office. The renovation hinges on a parking variance from the county's zoning appeals board Dec. 14.

The men, women and children unloaded a truck full of Christmas trees and wreaths and carried the trees to a fenced-off spot in front of the church.

The church will sell trees and wreaths for a fourth straight year, said the Rev. James L. Brewer-Calvert. Proceeds will benefit the church park as well as church and community ministries in Decatur, he said.

There are other places to buy Christmas trees in Decatur and Avondale Estates:

Winnona Park Elementary at 510 Avery St. will hold its annual tree sale at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in the school parking lot. According to the City of Decatur website, "Frasier firs from Banner Elk, N.C., will be delivered on the day of the sale. Prices are $60 for a seven-foot tree, $70 for an eight-foot tree, and $80 for a nine-foot tree. Fresh wreaths will also be available for sale.

"Trees are sold on a first-come-first-served basis and a portion of your purchase is tax deductible. For more information, contact Beth Costello, 404-797-6255. A variety of holiday festivities are planned in addition to the sale of trees and wreaths. Stop by and enjoy some holiday cheer."

Boy Scout Troop 107 started selling Christmas trees and holiday greenery last weekend in the lot behind Oakhurst Presbyterian Church at 118 Second Ave. Sales will continue every weekend until Christmas.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Agnes Scott College has launched multiple sustainability efforts in recent years and the Decatur school is now diverting 73 percent of its waste through recycling and composting, officials said. Without these efforts the waste would have gone into landfills. The college recycles chip bags and candy and cookie wrappers on campus and gives the material to a company that transforms it into toys, tote bags and other items. The school diverted just 28 percent of its waste in 2008. The goal is to produce zero waste.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

The developer of the former City Hall East building on Ponce de Leon Avenue has filed detailed plans for the project.The building, now rebranded as Ponce City Market, will house 204 residential units and 160 hotel rooms, according to plans filed by Green Street Properties. The plans also include 245,494 square feet of retail space; 20,645 square feet of space for restaurants; and 348,000 square feet of office space according to documents filed Nov. 21 with the state’s Department of Community Affairs under its Developments of Regional Impact, or DRI, program.

Green Street is a unit of Jamestown Properties, which paid Atlanta $27 million to buy the building, originally built as a Sears, Roebuck & Co. department store. The company plans to spend $180 million redeveloping it.

--Decatur - A local Boy Scout troop began its yearly tradition of selling Christmas trees Friday.

Troop 103 said they've had the lot for 20 years now at the corner of North Decatur and Scott Boulevard.

The boys said they will sell around 450 trees this season.

The Frasier firs are trucked in from Sylvia, North Carolina Richard Burnett said that once the trees are paid for, all the money raised goes directly back to the troop, to fund programs for the Boy Scouts.

Tour-goers will enjoy the eclectic mix of homes on the program. Historical features reflect the character and history of these neighborhoods. The homes on the tour also reflect the personalities of the owners and include such highlights as whimsical metal sculptures, a retro-style kitchen and furniture from India. One home was featured on HGTV’s Groundbreaker program.

Natural lighting is a shared characteristic in many of this year’s homes, with large windows letting in daylight and providing a feeling of openness.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

--Today marks the 40th anniversary of the disappearance of D.B. Cooper, who on Thanksgiving Eve 1971 hijacked a Seattle-bound jetliner and parachuted into history with $200,000 in ransom money. It remains the nation's only unsolved skyjacking.

It is truly a great unsolved crime. The facts are as follows:On a rainy Thanksgiving Eve in 1971(November 24, 1971)

A passenger who gave his name as ‘Dan Cooper’ (the "D.B." is based on later errors in the media, but has become more widely known) boarded Flight 305 in Portland, Oregon, bound for Seattle. Using the threat of a bomb in his suitcase, Cooper hijacked the plane shortly after take off.

It landed in Seattle, where Cooper released the passengers unharmed in exchange for his ransom demands being met: $200,000 in unmarked bills and 4 parachutes. After taking on these items, Cooper directed the crew to take off once more, and fly to Reno, Nevada.

During this second flight, he sent all the crew to the cockpit, and parachuted from the plane with the money. He was never apprehended, and although approximately $5000 was later found in the area that he parachuted into, nothing else ever was. Cooper has never been identified, and his true name may never be known. The FBI has stated that it believes him to have died upon landing, and decayed to nothing before he could be found. Of course, they also claimed that he was rude and abusive in conversations with them, which is at variance with the recollections of the crew members who heard these conversations, so it’s possible that the Bureau may be engaged in a certain amount of ass-covering.http://thecentrecannothold.net`````````````````````````````````````````More about D.B. Cooper

The case of D.B. Cooper, the only unsolved airplane hijacking in United States history, may soon lose that distinction.

Or at least that's the hope of a man who is playing host at a symposium in Portland on Saturday about the infamous 40-year-old incident.

"There's going to be some discussion of new terrain," said Geoffrey Gray, author of "SKYJACK: The Hunt for D. B. Cooper."The symposium, which is open to the public, will take place in the Pavilion East room of the Portland Hilton starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday. It will bring together many of the key people involved with investigating the case.full story: http://www.oregonlive.com---------------------------------------------

The cover of 1960s-era French-language comic book featuring the character Dan Cooper, a Royal Canadian Air Force test pilot who battles enemies on Earth and in space. The FBI now believe that the 1971 disappearance of hijacker-parachutist "D.B. Cooper" somewhere over the U.S. Pacific Northwest might have been influenced by the comic.Photograph by: Handout, Handout.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

A few full-service restaurants will be operating on Thanksgiving in Decatur and Avondale Estates. From Decatur Patch

Thanksgiving is the American holiday dedicated to serious eating, yet most full-service restaurants are closed that day. Decatur and Avondale Estates are no exception.

If you're not interested in cooking but still want turkey and dressing, here are a few places in the area that will serve that day:

Feast will serve a buffet with turkey, several other meats and traditional side dishes. The cost is $25 for adults, $22 for vegetarians and $12 for kids 12 and under. Beverages, tax and gratuity are extra. Seatings run 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For reservations, call 404-377-2000. To see the menu, visit the Feast website.

Ted's Montana Grill will serve a Thanksgiving special from noon to 7 p.m. The meal includes turkey, salad, green bean casserole and other traditional side dishes and dessert. The cost is $23 per person and does not include drinks, tip or taxes. A limited number of other menu items will be available.

The Iberian Pig is not serving inside the restaurant on Thursday, but they're selling side dishes to go. No turkey, though. Buyers are asked to pick up their orders Wednesday night or before 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the latest.

If you want to eat but don't demand turkey, some other places will be open.

The Green Corners Shopping Center once boasted a thriving Kmart and movie theater, followed by a large international farmer’s market, and then a smattering of smaller retail outlets.Almost 30 years later, the once-popular plaza at Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Rockbridge Road is nearly empty and plagued by crime, which has created the rare opportunity for a Wal-Mart store to move into a neighborhood without resistance.

Wal-Mart plans to build a 151,000-square-foot shopping center on the site, a project that has united local officials, law enforcement officers and residents who are weary of the current eyesore.

“You can’t ask for a better opportunity to spur economic activity in an area that is sorely in need of it,” said Chuck Warbington, executive director of the Gwinnett Village CID, which worked with Wal-Mart on its plans. “People are embracing it.”

This is a welcome development for Wal-Mart, which often has been greeted with public apathy or opposition when it opens in a new area. When another Wal-Mart store was proposed in Gwinnett County, nearly 100 people came to Snellville City Hall to protest the plan. Council members approved that request 4-2 over the loud complaints of residents.

Wal-Mart had no such trouble with the Green Corners site at a county commissioners’ business meeting in early October. The commissioners unanimously approved the company’s request, and only one person voiced concerns about the proposal.

“It’s a market that we haven’t been serving as well as we want to,” said Glen Wilkins, a local Wal-Mart spokesman. “So it’s an opportunity to hopefully reinvigorate the community and help draw additional businesses in that area.”

Warbington said Wal-Mart started looking at sites four years ago but backed off when the economy drooped. The retailer renewed the search a year ago, bouncing ideas off the CID about a possible location.

The new store and a sprawling parking lot means much, if not all, of the strip mall will be torn down early next year. That will spell the end for a pair of nightclubs that have been the source of numerous complaints, authorities and residents say.full story at ajc

Way back in January 2007, Mingei was included in an article in the New York Times Sunday Travel section in "36 Hours in Atlanta". They called us "a favorite" and "an import store with a sense of humor." We liked that and hung a banner with that latter quote on it for about a year afterwards! Now, there is a book, an ultimate travel book of the USA and Canada, based on the NYT very popular 36 Hours column. It is perfect gift for the traveler on your list! The book will be released on Nov. 27. We will have some arriving and would be thrilled to reserve a copy for you. We'll even sign it for you if you buy it here! :)

Watch for it:

The New York Times 36 Hours: 150 Weekends in the USA & Canada, edited by Barbara Ireland. $39.99

Atlanta, GA -Owners Jonathan and Gayle Rej said the cost to change over from 35mm to digital is just too expensive and they need to sell the 550-seat historic cinema to someone who can afford the conversion project.

"Day-today operations of an independently owned cinema are rife with challenges, but the death of 35mm film in the very near future is one hurdle they cannot overcome," a news release from the theatre said. "With film studios such as Warner Brothers and Twentieth Century Fox no longer booking 35mm repertory film prints and already destroying their film libraries, soon there literally won’t be film to run through the Plaza’s projectors. The Regal Tara Cinema has already converted to completely digital, the Landmark will follow shortly and the Plaza simply does not have the monetary funds to convert."

Friday, November 18, 2011

This should gladden the hearts of Waffle House fans everywhereThe Atlanta-based national restaurant chain is planning to open an eatery near Centennial Olympic Park downtown, and it'll be bigger than your average Waffle House.

“We want to be in the heart of the city with the likes of Coke, the Georgia Aquarium and the Children’s Museum,” Pat Warner, vice president of marketing and communications for Waffle House told the AJC. "It's a great location for us."

The chain is in the process of closing on nearly an acre of land at the corner of Andrew Young International and Centennial Olympic Park boulevards, Warner said. Waffle House’s newest location could open by spring, if all goes according to plan, he said.

The new Waffle House will offer 43 seats inside as well as outdoor seats overlooking Centennial Park, Warner said. Typical Waffle Houses offer seating for 30 to 35. The Centennial Park restaurant will be the company’s third downtown location; there's one at Underground Atlanta and one on the Georgia State University campus.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

From: http://www.christmasonpeachtree.com/--Christmas on Peachtree is the largest indoor Christmas festival in the Southeast. Located at 200 Peachtree Street (the former Macy's building) in downtown Atlanta, Christmas on Peachtree is a 70,000 square foot mix of family-friendly festivities, food and shopping.

Come see the stunning Symphony of Lights™ music and light show, let the kids play in the Cartoon Network Children's Adventure Area™ (which includes a life size toy train!), enjoy a meal in the North Pole Café and shop in our retail village. Get your child's photo made with Santa with a number of affordable packages available for purchase.

Take MARTA to Peachtree Center Station or enjoy the abundant, discounted parking available at our convenient parking deck.

Come experience Atlanta's new holiday tradition and remember that a portion of every ticket sold benefits Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

Though the development would be outside the city limits, the Decatur residents want the developer to know they're worried.Decatur neighborhoods have gotten together to share worries about the proposed Suburban Plaza Walmart, which would be located just outside the Decatur city limits.

A committee from the Decatur Heights Neighborhood Association met Sunday with representatives from the Springdale Heights, Glennwood Estates, Sycamore Ridge, Sycamore Station and Glenlake Commons neighborhoods.

According to a list of concerns compiled from the meeting, residents are worried about traffic congestion, environmental impact, the spillover of parking into adjacent streets and many other issues that were listed in bullet point form.

"The idea," the summary of the neighborhood meeting said, "is to work with Walmart and Selig rather than against them, and let them know our expectations are high."

No date for a meeting has been announced. The developer met Nov. 2 with residents of the Medlock Area Neighborhood Association.

Selig Enterprises of Atlana, the developer, wants to build a Walmart as part of the renovation of the aging Suburban Plaza shopping center at North Decatur Road and Church Street. The firm is seeking a parking variance and would like to build an underground parking garage.

According to a Development of Regional Impact statement filed by DeKalb County, the project calls for the "Demolition of approximately 144,000 sf of existing commercial space and the addition of 149,000 sf for a new total shopping center square footage of 324,614 sf."

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Create Memorable Holiday Events with Wahoo!With the holidays quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to book your upcoming private and corporate events at Wahoo! Grill. Our three sophisticated, venues feature the cuisine and personal attention of executive chef Christian Speigal with space parties of all sizes.

With superior attention to detail, from hors d’oeuvres to dessert and wine pairings to table settings, our talented team works in concert with you to ensure that every moment of your event is delicious and memorable.

Friday, November 11, 2011

from noon to 5pm at the Solarium in the Oakhurst Village. Junktique, hosted by the Oakhurst PTA, is part artist bazaar, rummage sale, cook-off and dance party. This unique community arts event benefits Oakhurst Elementary School’s teachers’ grants. Junktique: Wings, Swing and Hops promises to be a fun-filled afternoon for the entire family!

At Junktique you’ll find…

A treasure trove of fabulous finds from Oakhurst attics, local antique and consignment shops, as well as hand me downs from our very own students.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

From Decatur Patch:The city's Active Living Department is asking that question in a survey.Cheryl Burnette in the Decatur Active Living Department sent out this press release:

The Decatur Active Living Board has formed a Water Fountain Committee to access Decatur’s public water needs.

Some of the issues they seek to address include water fountain access, the location of public water fountains throughout the city, the reduction of plastic bottles, the cost efficiency of adding new water fountains, fountain maintenance and a needs-assessment for future water fountains.Ultimately, the goal of the committee is to increase access to public water fountains in order to support Decatur’s active lifestyle.

According to the 2010 US Census, the population of Decatur is 19,335 and currently Decatur has 14 water fountains. This works out to be approximately one fountain per every 1,400 Decatur residents. How do we know if this is enough to meet the needs of our active population?

This is where YOU come in! Please take a few minutes to complete a short five question survey on water fountains in Decatur at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/F38PJRS.

Deadline for completing the survey is Jan. 15, 2012. We look forward to getting your ideas and opinions.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

This is from the Dekalb Historical Society.The photo is from the Maury Mable Family collection.Maury Mable is leading the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Decatur.The year was 1946, looking at the Dekalb Theatre marquee you can see the movie playing is "Week end at the Waldorf "(1945).You can see F.W. Woolworth's next door and the Western Auto Store on the other side. the view is on East Ponce de Leon looking from Church St. toward Clairmont, east to west on Ponce de leon.

--circa 1940

I decided to post these from a comment on Decatur Metroabout a theatre on Ponce.Here are two photos of The Dekalb Theatre

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

The Atlanta Beltline Inc. has taken a turn into the condo business.On Monday, Beltline launched a marketing campaign for 30 units in a Memorial Drive condo building that it quietly bought in September. It hopes to sell the 2-bedroom units fast for $150,000 each and then go back to building parks, trails and a transit loop.

The Atlanta organization paid $3.7 million for the Triumph Lofts, which sits along the Beltline's path in the Reynoldstown neighborhood east of downtown.

For sale by Beltline: $150,000 condos

The South Beach-style condos in a former motorcycle factory fell into distress during the real estate bust, leaving the $200,000 to $300,000 units unsold. Then a tornado hit the building in 2008, causing some water damage.

“The private sector was unable to complete it," said Brian Leary, president and CEO of Atlanta Beltline Inc. "We it bought out of receivership and are basically serving as the developer of last resort.”

He said the move won't detract from Beltline's primary focus on greenspace and transit but fits with a mandate to spend some of its money on housing.

Monday, November 7, 2011

The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionEnvironmentalist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will speak at Emory University during the 10th anniversary celebration of the Lillian Carter Center for Global Health & Social Responsibility.The lecture will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Glenn Memorial Auditorium, 1660 N. Decatur Road. Tickets, which are required, are $10 for the general public and free for Emory faculty, staff and students.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Decatur Street scene in 1957: Decatur Policewoman giving a parking ticket to a horse.Decatur had just installed double head parking meters and this was a photo op.I guess farmer John came to town for supplies without change.The horse was parked in front of City Hall on N. McDonough St.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

From: www.newser.comNewser) – James Bond is back for a 23rd time in Skyfall, which begins filming today and will be out next year after a four-year gap in the 007 franchise. Daniel Craig will reprise his role as the super spy for the third time, going up against Javier Bardem as the villain. Skyfall’s Bond girls are French actress Berenice Marlohe and British actress Naomie Harris, Reuters reports. Though some feared the new director—American Beauty’s Sam Mendes—might tone down the franchise, he assured reporters at today’s launch that the script includes “lots of action.”

In Skyfall, Bond will visit London, China, Turkey, and Scotland. His loyalty to spy boss M, played again by Dame Judi Dench, will be tested. Spy headquarters MI6 will face an attack. “There’s lots of surprises” in the “fantastic script,” Mendes says. The movie is out next Nov. 9 in the US; 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the film franchise. The BBC notes that only four unused titles from Ian Fleming’s James Bond stories remain, including one that isn’t all that exciting (“007 in New York”).

-If you are interested in the plans and want to see the concept drawings of how Suburban Plaza might look after Walmart moves in.You need to check out medlockpark.org they have several of the drawings posted.Here is one of them:Suburban Plaza concept: refacing

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Two shredding events will be held in Decatur. If you need to shred documents, you can get it done at two places Saturday.

SafeShred will hold a community Shred Day 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at Glennwood Elementary School, 440 E. Ponce De Leon Ave. in Decatur. Donations are requested and will go to the Glennwood Parent Teacher Association. For more information call SafeShred at 404-772-7500.

The Community School and Eagle Secure Shredding will sponsor a Community Shred Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave. Donations of $5 per bankers box are welcome. Proceeds will support the Community School, a school for junior and high school students with autism spectrum disorders.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

FROM: Mingei World ArtsWho can believe it is NOVEMBER?It really is that time again!

The Halloween candy is still in the bowl by the door, and we are already thinking about Thanksgiving pie and holiday cookie recipes! Mingei will kick off this glorious season this week with the first of six Terrific Thursdays and the Decatur Wine Festival Art Walk! Keep reading to learn more!--

Terrific ThursdaysOne of Decatur's favorite holiday traditions, Terrific Thursday, begins this week! All over Decatur, stores will stay open later, offer specials and special treats, and help you get your holiday shopping done in the most pleasant way! Join us this Thursday from 5-10pm and start ticking down your holiday list over a sip and a nibble. Plan now to shop on Terrific Thursdays-- in November until Thanksgiving, and the first three Thursdays of December.---Decatur Wine Festival Art Walk!Raise a glass, or several, at The Decatur Wine Festival, this weekend! The Festival, celebrating its tenth anniversary, is a fundraiser for the Decatur Arts Alliance. You can help support the arts, spend a lovely afternoon on Decatur Square and be dazzled by the selection of over 500 international and domestic wines!

Warm up for the festivities by strolling Decatur from 5-10pm on Friday, November 4 for a fun evening of art, and maybe a wee little bit of wine, too!

Mingei will be featuring TryCycle Glass, recycled glass from Spain, for the Art Walk. You can choose just the right stemware for the holiays to enjoy those new wine discoveries you are going to make on Saturday! You may have seen their beautiful, green glass in the store, but TryCycle will have more to see! Come check out the selection!

We are expecting a large shipment from India in the next week or so-- watch your email so you don't miss this! We have antique furniture, mirrors, vintage carousel horses and all sorts of other wonderful finds on the way. We'll let you know as soon as we crack open the crates!

DeKalb County recently agreed to borrow up to $500 million to pay for the first phase of a $1.35 billion upgrade to its failing water and sewer system.The county will issue bonds during the week of Nov. 14 to begin the work. Ground will be broken early next year on the first projects.

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Welcome toNext Stop... DecaturHere you will find all kinds of photos, some new and some vintage, and sometimes even Decatur/Atlanta/World news. Also showbiz news, so sit back and have some fun.....Look out, sign-post up ahead.....NEXTSTOP...DECATUR, GA.

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Decatur High School Football

The Saturday location will be across the street from the Chik-Fil-A on N. McDonough in downtown Decatur.--Open Year-RoundSaturday Hours: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Located near 498 N McDonough St, Decatur, GA

Wednesday Hours: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Located at 308 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, GA

Field Trips with Sue is an award winning blog about things to do with kids in and around metro Atlanta and sometimes beyond. The blog is a Nickelodeon Parent’s Pick winner and a featured blog on Raveable.com, (named by Travel + Leisure magazine as a top travel site). The blog is featured on ATL Insider (the website of the Atlanta Convention and Visitor’s Bureau) and has featured posts on national travel site, Travel Savvy Mom. Bi-monthly, see Field Trips with Sue segments on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta and occasionally the local Atlanta NBC affiliate WXIA.

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Remembering the Past will Help build the Future

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Wanted:Pictures of The Decatur Theatre, Scott Drive-InTheatre , The Suburban Plaza Theatre and The Dekalb Theatre,North Dekalb Theatre,Toco Hill Theatre, The Emory, and /or any old photos of Downtown Decatur,GA.Please contact me if you have any photos that you think might be of interest. I would love to have a Decatur Theatre ticket stub.ThanksPlease visit myDecatur Theatresite.Also visit my Scott Drive-In site.Also visit my North 85 Twin Drive-Insite.

REGATOR APPROVED

The Court House looks so much better without that bandstand built in the middle of the front steps. Why would they block the front view. Why don't they move it to the left about 100 feet over in the grass area.

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Comment:Will be visiting Decatur from Philadelphia for Christmas...and I am counting down the hours. My wife, daughter and I are making it an 800-mile holiday road trip to Atlanta...love it! Many thanks for your site...it keeps me close to beautiful Decatur all year round.- Carlos from Phoenixville, PA

Hey Decatur, GA! visting from Downey, CA to run the marathon- thanks for the course support- loved the signs and spirit and hope to visit ur town during this stay or the next. Thanks again guys&gals- u were awesome! : Marina from Downey, Calif.